Just got my first bike ('82 CB750k) last summer after 20 years of hand-wringing and a disapproving (ex) wife. Rode through the fall and ended with a great trip to Boise through McCall. I'm literally giddy with getting the old CB out of winter storage. I'm hoping to get in on some group rides or events. My goal is to get a couple years of street riding under my belt be fore jumping to a big dual-sport, so for now, pavement only. I'm pretty serious about perfecting my technique and abilities, so would really appreciate riding with some veterans. I'd like to head down to the Rally in the Gorge in July/August. Any other events or group rides I should keep an eye out for?

Just got my first bike ('82 CB750k) last summer after 20 years of hand-wringing and a disapproving (ex) wife. Rode through the fall and ended with a great trip to Boise through McCall. I'm literally giddy with getting the old CB out of winter storage. I'm hoping to get in on some group rides or events.My goal is to get a couple years of street riding under my belt before jumping to a big dual-sport, so for now, pavement only. I'm pretty serious about perfecting my technique and abilities, so would really appreciate riding with some veterans. I'd like to head down to the Rally in the Gorge in July/August. Any other events or group rides I should keep an eye out for?
Chinook1aka Jeremy

Jeremy, Get a dualsport bike NOW! Riding on loose surfaces using brakes and throttle is a great teacher for those times when the asphalt is short of traction. There are lots of good used machines out there and the newer 250's are great bikes. (Oh yeah, welcome to the forum and have fun on the ole CB!) my $.02 Dave

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...what this really wants is an outgoing, gregarious, driven, type A; an extrovert, Alpha male P.T. Barnum salesman type with little time left to examine his life or to worry about knocking things off the coffee table with his tail....John Burns

I got the right gal when gas WAS $19 cents a gallon she's has put up with me for 58 years...AK Bike

Thanks for the advice and the welcome, y'all! I have been considering getting a mid size dual sport, but its all about the Benjamins. I do understand that dirt riding is a great tutorial, and it's what i want to be doing anyway. I may try to find some space in the far corners of my bank account for a little dually. I've taken the MSF course and plan on taking advanced courses soon too. I'll keep an eye out and maybe join the June Wallowas ride.

Welcome chinook1! I used to have a (free!) late 70's CB550 that I used as a flat-tracker in my woods when growing up. Great family of bikes. I kept that thing running until the headers were beat flat under the engine from rocks. Reason #314 I am lucky to be alive.

If you can find a dirt-cheap old POS dirt bike on Craigslist, pick it up and take it out to Liberty Lake ORV park. It is a great place to learn. Plus, one of the great things about Liberty Lake is that it is all down hill to your truck if your POS CL bike dies. You will learn more about riding in one day on your own than you will in years on pavement. Low-speed balance is something that can never be perfected in normal driving on a street bike, but the skills learned on the dirt can be used any time, anywhere. Just take baby steps, but continue to challenge yourself whenever safe to do so. Good luck out there!